HF 936

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; increasing news media access to
polling places; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
section 204C.06, subdivision 8.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 204C.06,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Access for news media.

deleted text begin The county auditor or
municipal or school district clerk, or their designee, may, by
written authorization, permit deleted text end new text begin A new text end news media deleted text begin representatives to
deleted text end new text begin representative may new text end enter new text begin a new text end polling deleted text begin places for up to 15 minutes
deleted text end new text begin place for up to 60 minutes new text end during voting hours to observe the
voting process. new text begin The time limit may be extended by the head
election judge. new text end A media representative must deleted text begin obtain prior
authorization and deleted text end present photo identification to the head
election judge upon arrival at the polling place deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , along with
either a recognized media credential or written acknowledgment
from a local election official of the media representative's
credentials. A media representative new text end must not deleted text begin otherwise deleted text end :

(1) approach within six feet of deleted text begin an election judge or deleted text end new text begin a
new text end voter;

(2) converse with a voter while in the polling place;

(3) make a list of persons voting or not voting; or

(4) deleted text begin interview a voter within the polling place deleted text end new text begin interfere
with the voting process new text end .

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end